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-던가Korean sentence ending · TOPIK 6

-deun-ga

TOPIK 6 6급Sentence Endings 종결 어미question about experience 의문(경험)2 senses

One sentence ending with 2 distinct uses in the dictionary. Each is below with its own usage rule and examples.

(formal, moderately addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to ask about a fact of the past.

(예사 낮춤으로) 과거의 사실에 대한 물음을 나타내는 종결 어미.

쓰임Usage

Attaches after the copula 이다, verbs and adjectives, the honorific -으시-, the past -었- or the future -겠-.

‘이다’, 동사와 형용사 또는 ‘-으시-’, ‘-었-’, ‘-겠-’ 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

예문Examples

그 친구가 그렇게 말하던가?

Did that friend really say that?

수업은 언제 끝난다고 하던가?

When did the class end, did you say?

공연에 대한 관객들의 반응이 어떻던가?

How was the audience's reaction to the performance?

대화In conversation

자네는 이 식당에 와 본 적이 있다던데 여기 음식이 맛있던가?

You said you've been to this restaurant before—was the food good?

그럼요. 모두에게 맛을 보여 주고 싶어서 오늘 여기에 오자고 한 겁니다.

Of course. I'd tell everyone to try it, that's why I came here today.

A sentence-final ending used to ask oneself or assume about a fact of the past.

과거의 사실에 대하여 자기에게 묻거나 추측할 때 쓰는 종결 어미.

쓰임Usage

Usually used as -던가 하다, -던가 싶다 or -던가 보다.

주로 ‘-던가 하다’, ‘-던가 싶다’, ‘-던가 보다’로 쓴다.

예문Examples

승규가 불고기를 좋아했던가?

Did Seunggyu like bulgogi?

내가 처음 바다에 갔던 게 네 살 때였던가 싶다.

I wonder if the first time I went to the sea was when I was four.

코를 골며 자는 걸 보니 남편이 많이 피곤했던가 보다.

Seeing him sleep snoring, he must have been really tired.

대화In conversation

언니 요새도 그림 그려요?

Do you still draw, sis?

아니, 아이 낳고 나서 그림 그려 본 게 언제던가 싶다.

No, I wonder when I last drew after having kids.

관련 문법Related grammar

Other sentence endings you will meet alongside this one.

-거들랑 -geodeullang -걸랑 (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending referring to the reason, cause, or basis for the preceding statement that the speaker thought… TOPIK 6 -게 -ge (formal, moderately addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used when ordering a person who is younger or has close friendly ties with you. TOPIK 6 -게 -ge (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to indicate the following content would obviously be realized if the preceding content… TOPIK 6 -구려 -guryeo (formal, moderately addressee-raising) A sentence-final ending used to indicate that the speaker is impressed by a newly realized fact. TOPIK 6 -그려 geuryeo A postpositional particle used when the speaker talks about what he/she says to the listener in a friendly manner. TOPIK 6 -나 -na (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used when asking or assuming something. TOPIK 6

자주 묻는 질문Common questions

What does -던가 mean in Korean?

-던가 is a sentence ending introduced at 6급 (TOPIK 6). (formal, moderately addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to ask about a fact of the past. It has 2 distinct senses, all listed on this page.

When do you use -던가?

Attaches after the copula 이다, verbs and adjectives, the honorific -으시-, the past -었- or the future -겠-.

What TOPIK level is -던가?

6급 — TOPIK 6, mastery. It is one of 56 grammar points at that level.

Definition, usage note, examples and dialogue from the 국립국어원 한국어기초사전, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.